WHOIS & RDAP Lookup

RDAP is the modern protocol for domain registration records, returning structured data over HTTPS. Since January 2025, ICANN has used RDAP as the definitive registration-data source for generic top-level domains. WHOIS is an older text-based service that remains available for some extensions. This lookup checks RDAP first and uses WHOIS when needed.

Not reliably. WHOIS and RDAP identify domain registration information, including the registrar and sometimes nameservers. A registrar can be different from the provider hosting the website. To investigate hosting location, examine DNS, public IP addresses and network records separately.

Sometimes. CIRA's .ca WHOIS service can show registration and registrar details, but identifying information for individual registrants is normally protected by default. Business registrant information may be public, subject to applicable privacy arrangements. A redacted record does not mean the domain is unregistered.

Check the privacy settings and registration category with your domain registrar. Many generic domains have public contact information redacted, and eligible individual .ca registrants receive privacy protection by default. Available settings vary by registry, registrant type and domain extension.

Registration data may be redacted under registry policies, privacy rules or a registrar's privacy service. Public results may still provide the registrar, domain status, registration and expiry dates, and nameservers. The exact fields vary by domain extension and data source.

Sometimes. Look for an approved contact or relay method in the public record or through the registrar. For protected .ca domains, CIRA offers a message-delivery service. For abuse reports, use the registrar's published abuse contact rather than assuming a hidden registrant email is available.

Sign in to the account at the registrar managing your domain and update the registrant or contact details there. The registry and RDAP response may take time to reflect the changes, and some data may remain redacted. Contact the registrar if the information is still wrong.

No. A lookup can fail because of rate limits, registry restrictions, connection errors or unsupported domain extensions. Always confirm domain availability directly with an appropriate registrar or registry before registering it.

clientTransferProhibited is a registrar-level status that blocks domain transfers between registrars while the lock is active. It is commonly used to help prevent unauthorized transfers. If you own the domain and want to transfer it, check the registrar's unlocking and eligibility requirements.

There is no universal update time. Some changes appear quickly while others take longer because of registry processing and cached lookup results. If the public record still looks outdated, confirm the correct information with your registrar.